The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1887-05-25
The Kokomo Murder.

KoKoMo, May 19.-This mornings Sem
tinel gave brief account of the murder
committed here last night. The following
seems to be the facts in the case: At about
7:30 last night Dick Hance stood at the
corner of Smith and North streets talking
TO an unknown man. Just across the street.
not sixty feet distant, standing in
the doorway OF BOrtoff's grocery,
was John Nesbitt, a farmer, his team
waiting unhitched in the street. A boy,
the son of Bort0f, was measuring potatoes
within. John Jackson passed the two
men conversing on the corner on his way
to the grocery. He was so near that he
could almost touch them by reaching out
his hand. Hance was leaning negligently
on the fence, looking to the south, the
CLEAN of the grocery lights full in his face.
The stranger stood facing him, his features
hidden in the shadow. There were no
angry words spoken-nothing 20 indicate
that the meeting OF the two men was 9TH
enWise than of the most commonplace
character. jackson had hardly reached the
opposite side of the street before two shots
rang out in rapid succession and Hance fell
to the earth. The stranger turned, with his
smoking revolver in his hand, walked
coolly south on Smith street past the dumb
founded spectators and, reaching the rear
OF the grocery store, broke into a
brisk run and disappeard. L. NJ
Hoover and a companion drove up in
sewing machine wagon and attempted to
intercept the heeing man, but without sue
cess. Hance was carried to his home, one
block away, and DR.. ]. Mel. Moulder sum-
moned. 1t was discovered that the ball
had entered the right eye near the nasal
bone, lodging at the base of the brain and
fracturlng the skull. He lived about
thirty-fve minutes after the shot, never
regainIng consciousness. The scene about
the humble home was touching in the
extreme and the grief of the foster-mother
heartrendiDg. The best obtainable descrip-
ton of the murdere is from John Nesbitt.
He describes him a man about five foot
seven to ten inches in height, of medium
build, wearing dark coat and trowsers and
a cap. No one seems to have got good
enough view of the features of the man to
attempt description. The proper name
of the murdered man is Rayl, and is the
foster child of John Hance. He was eigh-
teen years of age and fine looking fellow
strong, well knit and the picture of
good health. He was adopted by Mr..
Hance when three months old. At the
time of his death he was employed as a
teamster by William Morgan, the brick
maker and contractor. HIS foster father
has been a resident of the city since 1864.
He farmed what is known as the Macy
land, lying between the Panhandle and
L. IE. and w. Railroad, north
Of the junction. Hance was a
young nam of good habits and
his companions say he was not quarrel
some and was never known to drink. Of
fcers began securing the neighborhood
this morning to discover the murderer of
Hance. A young nam named Ollie Haw-
kins, was arrested on suspicion. At first
Hawkins stoutly denied the charge, but
when confronted with the fact that h was
seen with Hancs last night he broke down
and acknowledged that he had killed
Hance, alleging, however, that the act was
done in self defence. Hawkins is in jail
and will be given a preliminary hearing
Immediately, when very sensational dis
closures are expected, as it is generally be-
lieved that Hawkins was Jealous of
Hance's attention to a Kokomo young
ladv.
WAvELAED, May 20.-At an early hour
this morning the members of the Indiana
| Academy of Science were slowed away in
the comfortable conveyances kept here for
| carrying picnic parties, and started for the
valley of Cliff Greek. The party worked
| slowly down the valley, collecting many
| interesting forms of animals and plants.
About noon they brought up at Pine Hills,
| on Sugar Creek. where they were joined by
| parties from Greencastle and Crawfords
| Vile. Lunch was served at the King
| fishers clubhouse at o'clock. The after
| noon was spent in collecting and wander
| ing about the region, rowing and fishing
| In the evening business session was held
when three names were proposed Ter mem